The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1887-02-18


IN this era Of low prices for all kinds 81
farm produce would probably be an
fwered in the negative by = majority
81 the farmers. And yet ! am per-
suaded that money can be invested ia
farm property to-day, and bring as
good return as any other equally safe
business. But Il must be jusiiciously
invested. Assuming that the land Is
bought at It's real value-that il. what
Il wonld bring at public sale-the con-
ditions for success. are; LIST. That the
land shall be Of the best quality. "a.
That the improvements should be sub
stantial in character. but moderate in
extent. Sd. That the farm should be
accessible to good market. but not e.
pecially desirable as residence.
The best land il. rs a rule. the cheap
est. Taking two farms equally well
improved and equally well located, the
better land does not usually sell for a.
much more as its real value. 1t costs
more TO work poor land than good
land; but with equal care In cultivation
the returns Of the best soil are con-
eidcrably more than those from
soil OF second quality, and are often
two or three times as much as from
poor land. Indeed. it is doubtful If
many farms pay any thing at AL for the
capital invested in them. The crops on
M average would not pay for the labor
employed in growing them, II this
were charged up at what il is actually
worth.
But even slight difference in the
average returns makes greater diff
ference in the value Of the land than
most people realize. 1t is not an ex-
aggcration to say that good land will
produce an average Of sixty bushels Of
corn per acre as easily as seeond-rate
land will make forty-fye bushels.
That is. first-rate land will make an
annual yield Of fifteen bushels Of corn
per acre more than second-rate land,
with the same labor in preparation
and cultivation. But fifteen bushels Of
corn per acre. even at the present low
prices (35 ccnts), and allowing five
cents per bushel for the extra labor in
handling the crop. amounts 70 $40
per acre greater annual yield. Now,
$3.50 is fair interest in these days on
800, so that land which will make an
annual yield Of sixty bushels Of corn
per acre Is actually worth 900 an acre
more than land which will make. will
the same labor in preparation and cul-
tiyation. forty-five bushels. But il
never sells for that much more. The
best land, therefore. is the cheapest.
In this comparison we assume tha
both farms are managed with equal
skill and equal cost in labor. manure
etc. As matter If fact. second-rat'
land often does Yield larger crop
than better land. But il does 50 be
cause ii l. better managed and its re
sources more carefully husbandcd
But the same care and skill applied q
the best land would produce ever
greater results. or the same result
NAV be attained at less cost. whicl
amounts to the same thing. So that
il YOU are seeking an investment il
land. choose always the best; Il vii
pay better even at the seemingly hig
price.
And just here / may say that goo
land. which exists in large body Al
entire township or county-is wort
more per acre, other things bcin
equal. than equally good land which
isolated. Because the large body q
good land makes a rich cornmunit,
good roads. good schools. good marks
facilities. and. generally, better price
for produce. by securing competitio
amongst buyers
II man Is TO occupy farm as h
residence. the improvements are no
or ought not 70 be. regulated strict
by the canons Of profit A mcrchar
or manufacturer in the city. who =
lects lot and builds residence. if /
can afford the luxury. Is not governs
strictly BY convenience or economy
choosing the site and plans He do
Att titt N>utAit W rttuAt Pr rieNt 1911
fort merely. and convenience TO bus
ness, but 10 locate where he can enjs
life, and have a residence where he ca
receive his friends with pleasure. An
a farmer has an equal right 70 graft
his taste in building. II he can affol
the luxury. Indeed. l think he oug
to do 80. He ought 70 have a. fine
residence. as commodious q barn M
out-buildings. as handsome groun'
and as attractive place generally
his means will allow But he oug
moi to charge Il all up 20 the farm, a.
complain II il does not pay good !
terest on the investment.
II the farm II simply an investmer
and il il desired to get the largest Pc
sible return on your money. have VIII
buildings are necessary 70 work
economically and save the crops. a.
have nothing more. But have these
the most substantial character. Tel
pcrary buildings and make-shifts
supply permanent want, are usual
the most expensive in the end.